Dietitian

Overview

Responsible for providing clinical nutrition services for inpatient and outpatient, including nutrition assessment, modified diet formulation, self-management training and nutrition intervention to patients. Ensures patient satisfaction, quality care, regulatory agency compliance and good public relations are achieved through the safe and efficient use of resources.

Responsibilities

Screens patients (pediatric-geriatric) for nutritional risk. Assesses the nutritional status of patients found at risk through documentation in the medical record. Uses parameters such as anthropometric measurements, nutrition-focused physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory values.

Develops, revises and individualizes a nutrition care plan based on information from the patient, medical record, family and healthcare team members.

Makes recommendations for patient care based upon guidelines as outlined in the current diet manual.

Incorporates current evidence-based research into practice.

Utilizes physician/referring practitioner-driven protocols or other facility-specific processes to implement, initiate or modify orders for diet or nutrition-related actions (e.g. oral nutrition supplements, diet modifications, diet texture modifications for dentition or individual preferences, nutrition-related laboratory tests and medications and nutrition education and counseling).

Utilizes physician/referring practitioner-driven protocols or other facility-specific processes to manage nutrition support therapies (e.g., enteral formula selection and rate adjustments based on energy needs or laboratory results, supplemental water for enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition formulations, etc.) consistent with specialized training where required, competence and approved organization policy.

Executes programs/services in an organized, collaborative, and customer-centered manner.  Participates in process for ordering privileges required for expanded roles and enhanced activities consistent with federal and state practice acts.

Participates in care planning and patient/family conferences.

Adheres to facility confidentiality, HIPAA regulations and patient rights policies.

Complies with regulatory standards, including federal, state and accrediting agencies.

Completes all required documentation, reports and logs in a timely, professional and thorough manner.

Communicates effectively with all team members, patients and families through conferences, individual consultation and committee participation. This includes in-person, telephone, written, and electronic communication.

Orients, mentors and trains staff and interns, as applicable.

Advises department on patient care and food service issues.

Provides training to patient services staff on special needs with patient diet prescriptions.

Follows facility and department infection control policies and procedures.

Participates in facility-wide and department Performance Improvement Program (Lean) and on performance improvement teams to improve processes and patient care.

Participates in and attends departmental meetings, staff development, patient care rounds, committees and professional programs, as appropriate.

Assists and contributes to patient satisfaction goals by providing quality service.

Projects and practices consistent ownership attributes, which provide a high level of customer service at all points of contact.

Must adhere to all DCH Nutritional Services policies and procedures.

Maintains a clean, sanitary working environment.

Follows all security procedures for the facility and department.

Responds to utility failures per department policy.

Follows facility and department safety policies and procedures to include incident reporting.

Wears name tag identification and is aware of role in minimizing security incidents.

Adheres to Emergency Preparedness Program. Participates in disaster drills as appropriate.

Adheres to Life Safety Program and participates in fire drills as appropriate.

Performs other tasks that may be assigned.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required. Completion of an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics)-accredited supervised practice program required. Master’s degree preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Minimum of one (1) year of clinical dietitian experience, preferred. Registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) required. Must hold a current Alabama Dietitian license or obtain an Alabama Dietitian license prior to date of employment.

Membership and participation in professional organizations (i.e. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietetic Practice Groups, local Dietetic Association, specialty professional organizations, etc.) is strongly encouraged.

Advanced practice certification in approved area of dietetics practice is strongly encouraged.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to medical staff, healthcare professionals, top management, public groups. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.Computer Skills: Possesses necessary skills to effectively operate the hospital’s electronic medical record system. Ability to operate a standard computer, including basic use of MS applications such as Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental

Normal working environment includes a shared office setting with individual work station and rounding on nursing units to see patients.  Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease and infection.  Requires wearing common protective equipment to adhere to standard precautions and isolation procedures.  May be required to work in hot humid conditions.

Physical

Light work.  Requires sitting, walking and standing to a significant degree.  May be required to climb stairs. Occasional lifting of 35 lbs.

Psychological

Frequent contact with patients, families, physicians, nursing staff and other ancillary staff primarily in face-to-face contact. Works both independently and as part of a team.  Possible dealings with upset or unpleasant patients or family members.  Primary form of documentation and communication is electronic medical record and email.  Occasional public speaking or group presentations.  Requires making sound clinical and patient care decisions based on evidenced-based practice.

Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.